Your Donation Changes Lives

 

When you give to United Way of Norman, you fight for better Education, Financial Stability, Health and Independence for every person in our community.

The following stories are real lives changed by the community initiatives and programs funded by United Way of Norman through your donations.


Education

Early Childhood Education and Parent Support Services | CCFI

“Sarah” was using drugs and in trouble at school when she became pregnant.

Sarah enrolled in home visitation at CCFI shortly after having her baby. Thanks to their help Sarah was able to graduate from school, become a certified nursing assistant, buy a car and move out on her own.

As her son got older, Sarah recognized he had speech delays. She accessed Sooner Start services for him, and he now uses sign language to communicate.

After nearly three years of hard work, Sarah graduated from home visitation services with the confidence and strength to parent on her own.

Be Smart Program | CASP

Three sisters, a 1st grader, 4th grader and 5th-grader, were English Language Learners when they first enrolled at Kennedy Elementary. They were struggling with school work when they first started the CASP Be Smart program at the school.

Through the hard work and understanding of their tutor the girls have started to excel. Now they look forward to tutoring and even share new ideas for literacy games with their tutor.

By listening to her students and incorporating their ideas into their weekly tutoring sessions, the tutor has acted as a positive mentor. She empowers each sister to take a goal-oriented approach to their individual education while supporting each other in their academic endeavors.


Financial Stability

Emergency Shelter | Salvation Army

A kind gentleman came to The Salvation Army, struggling to verbalize the events that led to his homelessness.

He was able to convey that a recent stroke had left him without a job and then a home. He put in many housing applications, but his options were slim without a steady income.

A case manager worked with him to connect him to various resources in the community, follow up with his Social Security application and keep working on housing.

After a few months he was approved for an apartment. And The Salvation Army was able to assist him with a new bed and a welcome kit to make his place feel like home.

Legal Aid to Low-Income Individuals | Legal Aid

A man recently lost his wife.  With the loss of her income, he was about to lose his home in foreclosure. His social security, a pension, and part time job wer not enough to cover his living expenses.

In addition, a family member had taken advantage of him and wiped out his savings. He carried two mortgages, had not made a payment on either for over 20 months and a tax lien burdened the property. That's when he turned to Legal Aid.

Legal Aid counseled him about debt priority, budgeting, savings and the danger of allowing others to access his bank accounts. During their representation, the man saved approximately $4,000 and made full payment of his tax debt. Legal Aid also proved his home did not require flood insurance. This reduced reduced his house payment by $400 per month and he received a $3,900 refund of previous payments.

The foreclosure was dismissed and he was approved for modifications of both mortgages. That included cutting his interest rate nearly in half. With Legal Aid's help, the man was able to remain in his home and cut monthly payment by more than $500 per month.


Health

Family Violence Shelter | Women's Resource Center

A women with a 3-year-old entered the Family Violence Shelter at Women's Resource Center after law enforcement said she was at risk for being a victim of homicide.

Her child spoke no words and would hit, bite and yell at others in shelter when frustrated. The abuser had kept the family isolated and the child had not been free to play with other children.

Women's Resource Center worked with the mother to address legal issues, give her support as she dealt with the emotions involved and gave her referrals for safe housing. The family advocate worked with the child and was able to help the child figure out ways to communicate when frustrated. The child started talking, was able to go into Headstart and had no problems.

The mother and child left the shelter to move into their own place and start a new life together.

Medical Program | Variety Care

Variety Care recently had a young child come in with a large lump on his neck. The family of the child was quite concerned about what the lump could be.

The child was from a low-income family, not insured and did not qualify for Sooner Care.  Luckily because of the funding Variety Care receives from the United Way, the child’s parents were able to bring him to see a provider.

The child had the proper testing performed to identify the cause of the growth on his neck, which was a non-cancerous cyst. The child and his siblings now have regular checkups and have been brought up to date on their vaccines.


Independence

Scholarship Program | Full Circle

An elderly woman with dementia recently moved from another state to live with her single daughter. She was disoriented and agitated from her move to Norman.

Her daughter works full-time and is often called in at all hours of the day and night. Having her mother with dementia live with her was an additional emotional and physical challenge to her already hectic life.

The daughter took her mother to the adult daycars program at Full Circle. Funding from United Way of Norman provided a scholarship for her to attend while waiting for her DHS application to be approved. Her mother attends 5 days a week and sings the Star Spangled Banner every morning.

Recently, Full Circle staff noticed the mother was two months behind on her DHS co-payment. they found out fer daughter received some devastating news regarding her own health and was unable to work. She could not afford the copayment and was too far behind to catch up.

But thanks to United Way funding, scholarship money was available to allow her mother to continue to attend Full Circle. The daughter is very relieved to not have to worry about the co-pay while battling her illness.

Meal Delivery | Meals on Wheels

A husband and wife team of volunteers were driving their regular delivery route when they came to one of their favorite stops.  Barbara went to knock on the door and could hear their elderly friend crying.

Wanda had fallen and was unable to get up.  Allan quickly went next door where he knew there would be a key available. Inside they found Wanda, who had fallen hours before. they stayed with her until the ambulance arrived. 

It is very likely Wanda's life was saved that day by her dedicated Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers.